Tacocat Issue Incredible Debut LP

Tacocat’s debut full length “NVM” is some spectacular alterna-pop.  The albums thirteen songs sound like a cross between the upbeat new wave of the Go-Go’s, the powerful indie rock of the Breeders, and the soft lighthearted 60’s surf rock of the Beach Boys.  The Seattle based four-piece is starting to burst out of the underground and garner some mainstream attention which is both a good and bad thing.    The members, in true DIY spirit, are all involved in side projects which are not only just as good as Tacocat, but contribute to a scene which has for decades now produced some of the best alternative music the world as ever seen.  Notable tracks include “Bridge to Hawaii” about escaping the dreariness of the northwest by building a bridge to the tropical paradise.  Poppy drums and simple alt riffs contribute to the catchiness of all of Tacocat’s songs, particularly on the 50’s style “Party Trap”  which sounds like something from the Grease soundtrack and is followed punk charged  “F.U. #8”.  The band gives its own take on the popular subject of anarchy in “This is Anarchy” which tackles millennial angst and frustration with the economy.  The riot grrrl charged “Hey Girl” is about the objectification of women and is the heaviest song on the record both in sound and subject matter.  Fans of bands like Dum Dum Girls, or Bleached will LOVE this album though the songs have something for every musical taste.  From start to finish, each and every song is just fun and catchy with great lyrics that make you want to dance around the room and smile.  Plus, their band name is fantastic.

Plague Vendor - "Free to Eat" is an Interesting and Diverse Debut

Plague Vendor’s debut LP “Free to Eat” is a 10 song burst of howling vocals and wiry guitar riffs which contrast some intensely groovy bass lines.  The California based four piece recently signed to the great Epitaph Records for the release of their first album and overall, I’m pretty impressed.  Lead in track “Black Sap Scriptures” is my favorite on the album.  The bass in the background establishes a phenomenal sliding beat which helps define sharp tempo changes and haunting vocals by lead singer Brandon Blaine.  After the lead in track, the band shifts dramatically which was shocking at first but ended up making a lot of sense.  Second track “Cursed Love Hexed Lust” sees Blaine’s vocals elevating to a shrill howl akin to Jack White on some of the early White Stripes records.  Jay Rogers guitar speeds up throughout the song and gets the blood pumping after the more melodic opener.  “Breakdance on Broken Glass” has a unique back and forth between the vocals and the pounding drums of Luke Perine who erupts with intense ferocity after each break in Blaine’s singing.  “My Tongue is So Treacherous” opens with a riff reminiscent of Dick Dale overlaid with a piercing howl which goes on for longer than I thought humanly possible, but works against the surf rock style guitar.  Self-titled track “Plague Vendor” sees the band spelling out its name as the chorus which gets a little annoying but works with the songs chunky, broken rhythm.  Other songs like “Seek the Ruby Scarab” bring Jack White back to the table in a big way with a chorus that could literally be a White Stripes or Dead Weather B-Side.  Interestingly enough, the album closes with “Neophron Percnopterus”, a song which sees Blaine returning to vocals similar to “Black Sap Scripture” allowing the album to come full circle.  In this way the open and closer act more as warm up and cool down tracks for the explosions of intensity that is the eight middle songs.  The band maintains the punk rock speed and aesthetic throughout most of the album with some definite Lo-fi influences and ample amounts of garage rock glory.  This young band is currently touring with the Vans Warped Tour which is stopping at its usual spot in Mansfield this summer.  If you have tickets I would HIGHLY recommend checking these guys out as their live show is supposed to be off the charts.  If not, at least give the record a listen because it’s some marvelously gritty rock and roll.

Eagulls Make Some Fantastic 80's English Post-Punk

Eagulls have put out the best British post-punk I’ve heard since Echo and the Bunnymen which is saying a lot considering the latter is considered one of the best bands to play the genre and the former just put out their debut less than a year ago.  The five piece rock band from Leeds, England released their debut eponymous album and its 10 tracks ooze with hardcore guitar riffs, exquisitely deep and haunting base lines and vocals which sound straight out of the 1980’s New Wave/Post-Punk English scene with an extra gritty sincerity all their own.  Lead in track “Nerve Endings” has singer George Mitchel melodically shrieking the chorus in a way that is reminiscent of Mark E. Smith with a hoarser, "punkier" squeal which reveals Eagulls history in the hardcore scene .  The following track "Hollow Visions" is a veritable punk explosion of energy.  Tracks like "Amber Veins" and "Fester/Blister" have great speed and 80's guitar riffs that recall early Joy Division with a faster, heavier tempo.  The group clearly has an ear for history while bringing their own style and feel to each and every song.  The tempo changes brought to the table by drummer Henry Ruddel are perfect and not only drive the songs forward but keep them interesting as the sound of each starts to blend slightly by the end of the album.  While almost all songs maintain the punk aesthetic like "Footsteps" which channels 70's bands like The Damned or closing track "Soulless Youth" (one of the best on the album) some like "Possessed" and "Tough Luck" are reminiscent of the more pop oriented 80's sound of bands like Gang of Four (also from Leeds) or The Cure while still maintaining that hardcore influence alongside drumming that sounds straight out of Mission of Burma's entire catalog.  The band, which formed in 2010 is setting itself up for a successful run.  Their live show is supposed to be out of this world and they're slated to play Great Scott in Allston two weeks from today.  I have tickets and am so excited to see these guys rip through some songs which you would swear were straight out of 1984.  If you grew up in the 80's or are a fan of underground music from the era, you will not be disappointed with this album.